Chairman kept in the picture in Michelle and Alison’s kitchen

Kitchen manager Michelle Nixon and kitchen associate Alison Higgin have clocked up a combined 46 years’ service with Wetherspoon.

The pair, both working at The Reginald Mitchell, originally met when Michelle started 21 years ago as a kitchen associate at the pub.

Michelle recalled: “Alison trained me when I first joined as a 19-year-old kitchen associate, in 2003, although, after six months, I had already moved on to The Wheatsheaf.

“I stayed there for six years, progressing to kitchen manager, also helping at the new opening of The Green Dragon in 2013, before returning to The Reginald Mitchell about 10 years ago.”

Local resident Alison joined the team at The Reginald Mitchell in 1999 and celebrated 25 years at the same pub in October.

Pub manager Jim Mancell said: “Everyone agrees that it is a fantastic achievement by both Michelle and Alison.”

Michelle, who manages a team of 14 kitchen staff, continued: “I love my job, the pub, the people and Wetherspoon as a company.

“I feel that I have a secure job and just love what I do.

“When I joined, at the age of 19, I just wanted a job, but I loved it as soon as I started and threw myself straight in. I have progressed as far as I want to go and am happy.”

Michelle added: “Alison will be 60 next year and, after 25 years at the same pub, knows all of its customers and staff.

“She is always happy, too. She loves the company and is a great admirer of Tim Martin.

“We have a photograph of the two of us with Tim when he visited the pub.”